East’s Coleman gets the GOLD

As a freshman and sophomore at Olathe East High School, Breeana Coleman was haunted by disappointment at the Kansas 6A state track and field championships.

She amassed an impressive collection of finals appearances and medals, but the ultimate prize — an individual gold medal — eluded her.

But Coleman changed that in a big way as a junior this season, winning three sprint events and anchoring a runner-up relay team for Olathe East.

Her performance keyed the Hawks’ repeat team championship and also earned Coleman the title of 2009 Olathe News Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

From the opening meet this season, Coleman seemed to be on a mission.

She dusted the competition in her signature sprints — the 100-meter dash, 200 and 100 hurdles — week after week.

She won all three events at the Sunflower League Championships and again swept them at the regional meet.

Still, it was her effort at state that stands out.

Shaking off past heartbreak, Coleman scorched the field in the 100 hurdles, crossing the line in 14.30 seconds and winning by more than a full second.

Her winning times of 12.03 in the 100 dash and 24.93 in the 200 hurdles were also impressive.

Coleman capped a strong showing at state by anchoring the 400 relay team to a runner-up finish.

All-Olathe girls track and field team

CHELSEY BORDERS • Olathe East: A key cog of the state runner-up 400 relay, the Hawks’ junior also finished fourth in the 100 and sixth in the 200 at state.

BREEANA COLEMAN • Olathe East: A state champion in the 100, 200 and 100 hurdles, the Hawks’ junior also anchored the runner-up 400 relay. Coleman also won league and regional crowns in her three signature events.

CASEY EPPS • Olathe East: In addition to helping the 3,200 relay finish third at state, the Hawks’ senior finished fourth in the 800 and 1,600. She was the league and regional 1,600 champion and also won the 800 at the regional meet.

KAYLA HANNAM • Olathe East: The Hawks’ sophomore won the regional high jump crown and placed fifth at state in the event.

SHALEAH MARTIN • Olathe North: The Eagles’ junior was fifth at state in the long jump.

JESSICA MEDLIN • Olathe East: The Hawks’ junior was third at state in the javelin.

JENNY PINKSTON • Olathe East: The Hawks’ freshman was fourth at state in the high jump.

ASHLEY REID • Olathe East: Capping her career in style, the Hawks’ senior clinched a third consecutive Kansas 6A high jump title on the final leap of her high school career. She also finished fourth at state in the triple jump. The league champion in both events, Reid also helped the 400 relay win a regional title.

COURTNEY REINKE • Olathe East: The Hawks’ senior wrapped up a stellar career with a state title in the triple jump and helped the 400 relay to a runner-up finish.

MARY RILEY • Olathe North: The state runner-up in the javelin, the Eagles’ junior also captured league and regional javelin championships.

KELI RUSSELL • Olathe South: The Falcons’ senior finished 11th at state in both the 1,600 and 3,200 and also had a 3,200 regional championship on her résumé.

REBECCA SCHMITT-HARTMAN • Olathe North: Were it not for Breeana Coleman, the Eagles’ senior surely would have garnered more acclaim. Schmitt-Hartman was second at state in the 300 hurdles after posting the top preliminary time and placed third in the 100 hurdles. She was a league and regional champion in the 300 hurdles.

KYLIE SEURER • Olathe Northwest: The Ravens’ senior finished fifth in the 100 hurdles and ninth in the 300 hurdles at state.

MEGAN SMITH • Olathe South: The Falcons’sophomore placed fourth at state in the shot put and discus and also captured a regional shot put championship.

KATHY SUMMERS • Olathe South: The Falcons’ senior placed fifth at state in the 300 hurdles.

OLATHE EAST 3200 RELAY: In addition to Epps, senior Lana Thompson and Ellis sisters, freshman Brooklyn and junior Brenda, helped the Hawks win the team state title with a third-place effort.